Indulgences and Grace - Sermon by Rev. Stephen Milton

HUNGER, POWER, GLORY - A Dramatic Reading of Paradise Regained

We invite you to a rare dramatic reading of John Milton’s poem Paradise Regained. The setting is the desert where Jesus has been fasting for forty days. Satan appears to tempt Jesus to stop being loyal to God. Satan beckons Jesus to the dark side - give in to pleasures of the flesh, and to temptations of power and glory. It's a dramatic story of the dangers of tyranny, of leaders without ethics - themes that are as fresh today as they were when Milton wrote the poem in 1671. Acclaimed Canadian actor R.H. Thomson plays Satan. He is joined by a talented cast playing Jesus, God, demons, Mary, and Milton's wry narrator. Please join us for a rare production of this Lenten tale.

Two Steps Home: Tiny Homes for the Homeless in Toronto

Today's podcast features an interview with Robert Rayner, who believes that Toronto can help ease its homelessness crisis by providing personal cabins for people who prefer to live in encampments.

Christianity & Antisemitism - Sermon by Rev. Stephen Milton

Rev. Stephen Milton examines how Christian theology, scripture, and history have contributed to centuries of persecution and marginalization of Jewish people. Tracing this legacy from the Crusades and medieval economic restrictions to New Testament interpretations shaped by the destruction of Jerusalem, he shows how misunderstandings about Jesus, the Messiah, and Judaism hardened into harmful doctrines. Rev. Milton challenges Christians to confront these painful truths honestly, emphasizing that Jesus’ teachings are deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and justice ethics. The sermon calls the Church to reject inherited prejudices, read scripture critically, and commit to interfaith respect, cooperation, and the shared work of building a more just and peaceful world.

The Bonds of War - Sermon by Rev. Roberta Howey

In The Bonds of War, preached for Remembrance Day, Rev. Roberta reflects on the complex legacy of faith in times of conflict—grief for the fallen, anger at human violence, and hope for peace. Tracing the United Church’s roots through the Methodist and wartime traditions, she explores how churches wrestled with patriotism, pacifism, and conscience during both World Wars. From chaplains on the front lines to ministers who protested against war, Rev. Roberta shows how faith communities have struggled to balance loyalty to nation with loyalty to God. In an age of drones and digital warfare, she calls the Church to remain a voice of conscience—a brake on the machinery of violence—reminding us that God’s image resides not only in ourselves, but also in those we call the enemy.

Indulgences and Grace - Sermon by Rev. Stephen Milton

In Indulgences and Grace, preached on Reformation Sunday, Rev. Stephen Milton revisits Martin Luther’s protest against the sale of indulgences—a system that turned forgiveness into a transaction to fund St. Peter’s Basilica. Drawing on Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Rev. Milton contrasts prideful religion with humble repentance, reminding us that God’s grace cannot be bought or earned—it is freely given. From Luther’s challenge to church corruption to the United Church’s own repentance for past harms, Milton traces how faith deepens when it admits its failings and turns toward grace. True reformation, he concludes, comes not from defending our righteousness but from embracing God’s love and extending it to others with humility and compassion.